Released: July 16, 1996
Despite a platinum album and steady airplay in the mid-to-late ‘90s, history primarily remembers Tonic for their chart-topping single “If You Could Only See.” A number one song is nothing to sneeze at, but the band’s 1996 debut was so much more than window-dressing for a crossover hit. My broad-stroke take? Lemon Parade is a cover-to-cover masterclass in songwriting and a hidden gem from the post-grunge era. A closer examination, however, reveals a potent combination of stage-ready, lived-in songs and a strong thematic undercurrent that sets it apart from much of the mid-90’s fray. Oh, and the album freaking rocks.
Lemon Parade checks all of the proverbial boxes, beginning with the infectious album-opener, “Open Up Your Eyes.” From the moment I heard the song’s intro riff, a genius combination of descending arpeggios and giant chords, I was hooked. Depending on which version* you’re listening to, the song also features a tasty solo break (courtesy of Jeff Russo) and even a little talk box in the closing seconds. “Casual Affair” gives us yet another undeniable riff, setting the stage for “If You Could Only See.” The album’s breakout is a brilliantly catchy anthem and absolutely deserved the attention it received (even if I personally rate it as one of the album’s weaker moments).
From there, the band offers a perfect balance of pensive ballads (“Soldier’s Daughter,” “Mr. Golden Deal”), mid-tempo riff-frests (“Mountain,” the appropriately-titled “Thick”), and frenetic rockers (“Wicked Soldier,” “Bigot Sunshine”). Meanwhile, songs like the dreamy title track and the contemplative album-closer, “My Old Man,” add a touch of sonic diversity and demonstrate the band’s versatility. Jack Joseph Puig had a hand in a number of ‘90s classics (Weezer, Counting Crows, etc.), and his production here gives each song exactly what it needs. Where the opening trio of singles feature an appropriately lush, ear-candy-laden mix, songs like “Celtic Aggression” have an unfettered, live-on-the-floor feel.
As for the band itself, drummer Kevin Shepard and bassist Dan Rothchild make for an incredibly tight rhythm section and Russo consistently delivers memorable leads. For his part, Lemon Parade is proof positive that frontman Emerson Hart was at the top of his lyrical and vocal game from the get-go. Nowhere is this more evident than on “My Old Man,” where lines like “Oh, I’ve been such a fool, Spent my life waiting for you” and “Should have been enough to know that you’d let us all down” resonate just as deeply now as when Hart penned them three decades ago.
I wish I could say that Lemon Parade was the beginning of a Zeppelin-esque run of classics for Tonic, but sadly, that’s not the case. While 1999’s Sugar comes closest to channeling the fire of their debut, the reminder of Tonic’s studio work finds Hart and Co. doing their best to adapt their sound to those ever-fickle commercial expectations. That’s not to say those other records aren’t worth checking out, because they are (as is Hart’s solo work), but Lemon Parade remains a high-water make and the perfect point of entry for those interested in hearing more from that “If You Could Only See” band.
*The music video for “Open Up Your Eyes” features a different, acoustic-guitar-driven mix. Both versions wound up receiving airplay as well, which confused teenage me to no end. No, the mixes aren’t drastically different, but I always preferred the original version and to this day wonder if the switch up to a softer, less-edgy sound was an attempt to capitalize on the success of “If You Could Only See.”
Generation Mixtape 